The Fisheries and Wildlife undergraduate major focuses on interactions between humans and the natural world through courses that link three foundational topics: (1) the ecology of Earth's ecosystems and their animal populations, (2) the diversity of ways in which people use and value natural resources, and (3) the application of scientific understanding, using conservation and management techniques to meet global challenges threatening the sustainability of Earth's ecosystems and their animal populations.
Employment is generally found with state and federal natural resource agencies such as the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Park Service. There are also excellent job opportunities with private companies, non-profit organizations, and colleges and universities.
Fisheries and Wildlife prepares students for a variety of career paths:
Conservation officer.
Environmental consultant.
Wetland monitoring assistant.
Fisheries/wildlife technician.
Fish hatchery manager.
Water quality specialist.
Land management planner.
Fisheries/wildlife biologist.
Faculty members and advisors maintain close relationships with natural resource agencies which can help with internships, scholarships and employment opportunities.
Fisheries and wildlife student Kailee Pearson worked as a field technician in the Upper Peninsula with the Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians’ wildlife program over the summer.
Two fisheries and wildlife undergraduate students, Hannah Landwerlen and Evan Griffis, designed and built a box that allows bird banding to be performed safely during the novel coronavirus pandemic.